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Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Brighton, MI -- May 26, 2004 -- GKI Foods Inc.of Brighton, Michigan is recalling the above, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstance, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Above product was distributed in Michigan, California , Texas, Illinois, and Ohio. All products were distributed into the retail chain through distributors that service the retail sector.

The above products will be displayed in bulk form, and will contain a julian code date that consists of four numbers. The above product will have a julian code date of 2363( Aug 23, 2003 ) to 1484(May 26, 2004).

GKI Foods Inc. has 11,000 lbs of product that may be affected.

Anyone having product with these code dates please return the product to the retailer where it was purchased.

GKI Foods Inc has no reported illnesses to date.

It is important to note that this recall is based on epidemiological data. To date, extensive testing completed by both the FDA and Paramount Farms has found no salmonella in any of our plants.

GKI Foods Inc is currently cooperating with the proper local governmental authorities as part of the investigation surrounding the Paramount Farms recall of natural raw almonds. We, along with Paramount Farms, are taking a proactive and aggressive approach to recovering the affected product in order to assure the safety and well-being of our customers, as well as to avoid any possible confusion about the safety of these products. Any questions from the media related to this recall should be directed to Chris Tuffli , Director of Communications , Paramount Farms in Los Angeles at (310)966-5731.Questions specifically related to the investigation can be directed to the FDA's Consumer Inquiries Hotline at 888-INFO-FDA. Consumers who have questions about the recall may call Paramount Farms toll-free hotline at 800-496-5168 ( US ).